Posted 8:46 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, 2024
UWL welcomes more Malaysian students with expanding list of transfer scholarships
UW-La Crosse International Student Aditya Anil traveled across world to study on the UWL campus for two main reasons:
- A lower cost compared to similar schools
- A smooth transfer of credits
Now that he’s here, the UWL junior and economics major is learning more about what he likes. For instance, changing seasons and white fluffy stuff falling from the sky have been an interesting contrast to the humid and hot climate of southern Malaysia. Meanwhile, the close-knit feel of the La Crosse community is a comforting reminder of home.
Anil is part of a growing population of Malaysian students on campus, the result of strong transfer scholarship programs forming between UWL and several schools in the Southeast Asian country. These programs allow for an easy transfer of credits to UWL, which ultimately saves students time and money on the path to their degree. Upon completion of their junior and senior year at UWL, students earn a UWL degree.
UWL's largest international student population
Students from Malaysia are now UWL’s largest international student population. The university currently has 21 students who are attending through American Degree Transfer Programs in Malaysia. And numbers are anticipated to grow as UWL will be offering another opportunity for international students from the country.
Starting in fall 2024, UWL will offer a $7,500 per academic year scholarship for students from Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) in Malaysia to study at UWL. One MCKL student will be awarded the new scholarship this spring for the fall 2024 semester.
“This helps us recruit students who are really academically talented and bring global diversity to the campus,” says International Admissions Counselor Heather Pearson. “We’ve found that the students from MCKL get involved on campus, they seek out opportunities and are motivated students. They are the kind of students we want on campus and this gives us an edge to help bring them here.”
The new scholarship builds on a successful American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) Malasia Transfer Scholarship program created several years ago, offering Malaysian students from MCKL and several other Malaysian schools a 50 % reduction on non-resident tuition to complete their degree at UWL. Students who receive the Malaysia Transfer Scholarship have found a seamless transfer of credits to UWL and, upon completion of their program at UWL, earn a UWL degree.
Anil was one to take advantage of the Malasia Transfer Scholarship. He applied after visiting with Pearson during an information session in Malaysia. Then, Pearson, Anil and his parents met up at a restaurant near MCKL to talk more.
“My parents were worried about the safety,” Anil recalls. “It was nice to, in a relaxed manner, talk and clear up doubts.”
He was intrigued to learn that, although the campus is safe and small, it also has features you find in a big city such as visits from major political figures during election season. UWL was a hub for past visits from political figures such as President Joe Biden, Former President Barrack Obama, Former President John F. Kennedy and Former President Gerald Ford, all at various stages in their political careers. Anil finds American politics fascinating and looks forward to being on campus as the 2024 presidential election nears.
Anil started at UWL in fall 2023. In addition to the snow, seasons, politics, and small city feel, Anil is enjoying the personalized instruction.
“One appealing thing about UWL was that the classes here were very small. MCKL was a small college too. I've found that is better for my learning – to get a more personal, professional relationship,” he explains. “I was able to do that last semester and I’ve been able to do that this semester too.”
According to an MCKL story about the agreement, the positive feedback from MCKL students about UWL’s robust support system demonstrates a mutually beneficial relationship between the institutions. In addition to faculty support, students find support outside of classes through various UWL offices that are dedicated to helping students such as International Education & Engagement (IEE), the Office of Multicultural Student Services, Academic Advising and the Recreational Eagle Center. Students can easily find research opportunities on campus as well.
“IEE was a great help for me because I was coming to a country that was completely different in every aspect,” says Anil. “They helped with adjusting to the culture shock and finding resources to accommodate my needs and interests.”
About the Malaysian American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) Scholarship
This scholarship is automatically awarded each semester to transfer students from American Degree Transfer Programs in Malaysia. The scholarship amount is 50% of the non-resident tuition, which is approximately USD $4,400 per year.
The new $7,500 scholarship recipient will be selected by MCKL.